Robust and breathable electronic textiles with anti-icing and photothermal de-icing properties modified by ZIF-8/polypyrrole

Textile-based flexible sensors with passive anti-icing, active de-icing capabilities, and information transmission are of significant value, especially in low-temperature environments. This study introduced a hierarchically structured textile (PPTZC) composed of zeolitic imidazolate framework-8 (ZIF-8), tannic acid (TA), polypyrrole, and polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) modified cotton fabric. The innovative design of introducing ZIF-8, followed by etching it with TA to form a hollow structure, enhanced the wearability (breathability, flexibility, lightness, stability, and UV-blocking performance) of the cotton fabric and improved its sensing sensitivity. PPTZC exhibited excellent superhydrophobicity, self-cleaning, anti-icing, photothermal de-icing, and information transmission capabilities. With a light absorbance of 90–95 %, it can rapidly melt ice through photothermal conversion. In a − 20°C environment, the surface temperature of PPTZC can quickly rise from − 20°C to approximately 25°C under 1 sun of irradiation. Both experimental results and COMSOL simulations demonstrated the remarkable anti-icing performance of PPTZC, with the longest ice delay time of 1291.4 s. Additionally, PPTZC can monitor head movements, finger bending, breathing, and pulse in real time, and be used for underwater information transmission and distress alerts. The multifunctional characteristics of PPTZC make it highly promising for use in low-temperature and underwater protective clothing, making it suitable for exploration and research in cold environments.